Buying and selling real estate can be stressful, expensive and time-consuming. That's why having a knowledgeable, communicative real estate agent you can trust can be a huge asset to building your real estate portfolio.
But, what do you look for when trying to find your go-to realtor? If you're in an exclusive community like Granite Bay, CA., finding a realtor who has deep knowledge of the area and market can be a tough job.
To help you get started, we are sharing some tips today for how to find the right real estate agent for you and what you should look for.
Let's dive in!
1. Look For Area Experts:
No two places are alike. When looking for a real estate agent or team in a certain area, like Granite Bay, you want to find agents that don't just know real estate - but are experts in that particular area as well.
Ideally, they also live in the area themselves and understand the unique subtleties of the neighborhoods and schools, so they can help potential buyers and sellers navigate the process.
This means you want someone who knows more than market stats and actually understands the area and the value of living there. In a place like Granite Bay, buyers pay a premium to have access to gated communities, exclusive golf courses, and top-rated schools.
You need a realtor who is privy to this insider knowledge, so they can help you price your home correctly or make the right offers on new homes you're interested in.
2. Ask for Referrals:
It's never been easier to get information on how a realtor does business. Start by checking their online reviews from sites like Google. And, don't be afraid to ask for the names and numbers of several of their clients, so you can get even more information if needed.
If you're still struggling to find someone, ask around. People are usually more than willing to tell you about their experiences with realtors. Compile a list of names you hear over and over again as a starting point for who you can call.
3. Interview Them:
Once you've made a list of realtors you may be interested in working with, it's time to make some calls. When you're talking to them, consider how those communications go. Do you feel comfortable talking with them? How do you think they'll do in a negotiation situation?
You'll likely be spending a good deal of time with your realtor, especially if you're a buyer, and you need someone you feel comfortable being around, but who will also do well when it's time to make a deal.
Plus, you will want a real estate agent who is:
Approachable
Honest
Acts in their client's best interest
Has a great reputation
Is a skilled negotiator
Has a history of closing deals quickly and successfully
Understands the area
Has experience with your unique objectives
Feel free to add whatever else you are looking for in an agent to this list. Ultimately, you need an area expert who is a skilled negotiator.
4. Ask Good Questions:
When talking to potential realtors, ask them the same list of questions so you can compare how the conversations go. Your questions will be specific to your unique real estate goals, but here are some examples to get you started:
How long have you been working in real estate?
What's your specialty?
In what area is most of your business?
How many active clients do you have at a time?
Are you part of a team?
Are you equipped to handle my unique situation?
How well do you know the Granite Bay area?
How will you market my home?
How will we communicate? (For example, are they available by phone or prefer to respond to emails? Do they only work certain days and hours or are they available whenever a client needs them?)
Can you put me in contact with some references?
If you ask each agent the same questions, you'll start to get a good idea of which one is the right choice for your real estate objectives.
5. Be Clear on Your Situation:
Once you've narrowed down your list, make sure you are upfront about the particulars of your unique buying or selling situation with the realtor you'd like to work with. This will help you make your final decision for who is the right realtor for you.
For example, do you need to close the sale quickly before heading out of the country for a long summer? Are you limited on when the house can be shown or when you can view properties? Will you have an assistant preview properties in advance and then compile a short list of properties that you'll want to view in one day? Will you need someone available on the weekends? Do you want to try some unique methods of buying or selling - such as using a transparent auction site like USA Homebids?
Be clear about any specifics, goals and/or limitations that the real estate agent should know about your unique situation in advance, so they can prepare accordingly.
Sometimes, these conversations will help you eliminate realtors that are not a good fit.
6. Check Social Media:
These days, everyone should be leveraging social media to maximize reach. Check your realtors social media to see if they're regularly posting and adding value in the social media space. This means they'll have an active audience that they can tap when sharing your property.
Here are just some of the ways we utilize social media in our brokerage:
Regular social media posting on multiple sites
Regular blog posting, including special listing posts
Regular video creation and sharing on YouTube
Regular sharing on LinkedIn and other business platforms
Fact is, your potential buyer is probably on social media - so your house should be, too. Make sure your realtor has kept up with the changing demands of technology and is using cutting edge tools to stay at the top of their game.
7. Discuss Strategy:
Now that you've likely selected your final agent, it's time to discuss your specific selling strategy and the particulars.
For example, what specific marketing strategies will be used to sell your property? Here are some ideas of things you can do:
Use social media to share out listing photos
Use social media to broadcast open houses
Use blog posts to share the property
Use a dedicated email newsletter to the realtor's list to share information on your listing
Use YouTube to post videos of your property
Use unique bidding platforms, like USA Homebids, to sell fast and usually for over ask
Schedule open houses during high traffic times/weekends and advertise in advance
Follow-up with potential buyers to increase offers
Make sure your agent is knowledgeable and comfortable with your expectations and you've collaborated on a strategy that will work for both of you.
8. Check Your Contracts:
Before you sign any agreements, make sure to read the fine print. Look over all of the details, including the list price, contract length, commission structure and more before signing the dotted line.
9. Keep Communication Open:
Once it's go time, keep the lines of communication open. If you've completed all these steps, you've done the work to establish clear expectations from the beginning, but that doesn't mean the process won't always be smooth sailing.
Buying and selling real estate can be a bit of a roller coaster. Remember to try and enjoy the ride as much as possible, because the end result will be something worth celebrating.
If you're working with an area expert with negotiation experience who understands how to market your property to the fullest, you should see the best return on your investment. For buyers, this will help you identify the right properties for you and help you make a winning offer.
*****
What do you think? Is there anything you'd like to add to this list? Let us know!
And, if you're looking for an honest, successful, real estate agent or team with expertise in the Sacramento area, including Granite Bay, reach out! We would love to talk with you about your real estate goals. Give us a call at 916.524.9733.